Categories: Postnatal

Nipple Care During Breastfeeding

How to care for nipples during breastfeeding?

The joy of motherhood is often overshadowed by breast issues: pain, cracks, and inflammatory processes complicate the care process for the child. Proper latching onto the breast and prevention of the most common diseases of young mothers can help avoid this. Breast care after childbirth requires a special approach; let’s understand what kind.

Breast care after childbirth: main issues during breastfeeding

Cracks

Nipples after childbirth undergo significant physical stress, often resulting in cracks. Ignoring this problem is inadvisable, as mechanical damage to the nipple surface can easily lead to infections that provoke mastitis and other diseases.

To address this issue, it is essential first to consult with a lactation consultant, who will point out mistakes and clarify breastfeeding techniques, as nipple cracks after childbirth occur due to improper latching of the baby to the breast.

There are special ointments and creams for healing wounds. Before applying regenerative formulations to nipples damaged after childbirth, it is important to feed the baby so that the product has time to absorb into the skin before the next feeding. Recommendations on selecting an ointment can be obtained from a pharmacist; online course.

White spots on nipples

Relatively large white spots on nipples after childbirth indicate a blockage of the milk ducts. This is a very dangerous phenomenon as it causes milk stasis, which in turn leads to a number of negative consequences. To combat the blockage, the milk must be actively expressed or breastfeeding should be established – when the baby latches correctly, blockages cannot occur.

Abscesses

When a woman’s nipples crack after childbirth, there is a high likelihood of abscesses or boils forming. An abscess looks like a pimple, which over time fills with pus and ruptures, causing additional discomfort.

Abscesses are treated with special antiseptic ointments applied under a dressing.

Traces of baby bites

Even if the baby hasn’t gotten their first teeth yet, they might bite. They do this unintentionally, without realizing they’re causing the mother pain and increasing the risk of various infections. However, even at this age, children are teachable: it’s quite possible to break the habit of biting. To do this, one must emphasize each instance of biting—tell the child in a stern voice that it’s not allowed. After that, take them away from the breast and latch them on in such a way that they cannot bite.

Irritation

It appears as redness of the nipples. Women with very sensitive skin encounter this issue. The only way to help in such a situation is to establish a proper feeding process, as irritation indicates a high risk of mechanical damage. If done correctly, redness and discomfort will soon disappear.

Prevention of Nipple Problems After Birth

Hygiene of the breasts plays an important role in maintaining health. Women who want to ensure comfort while breastfeeding need to use special types of cosmetics post-birth: for instance, nipple cream helps heal wounds acquired during the feeding process. Gels specifically designed for breastfeeding mothers temporarily replace soap, which can dry out the skin and cause cracks. Air baths and gentle breast massages have proven effective in preventing cracks.

Problems with nipples after childbirth can be caused by improperly fitted underwear. When breastfeeding, it’s important to pay attention to the quality of the bra material. In addition, undergarments should be changed regularly—at least once a day.

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